Producer and songwriter Andrew Watt has had a remarkably busy year, collaborating with some of music’s most legendary artists. His impressive resume now includes producing Paul McCartney’s upcoming project, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, and co-producing the Rolling Stones‘ Foreign Tongues, marking his second album with the iconic band. Additionally, Watt has co-produced Brandi Carlile’s Returning to Myself and worked on two tracks for Madonna’s much-anticipated Confessions II. Continuing his celebrated partnership with Lady Gaga, he’s been involved with several new songs, including contributions for The Devil Wears Prada 2. He recently co-wrote and co-produced Michael Stipe’s single “I Played the Fool” and is collaborating on Stipe’s long-awaited solo debut. Furthermore, he is currently in the process of creating a new album with Elton John.
In a recent episode of The Rolling Stone Studio, Watt discusses these remarkable collaborations and more while sitting down with Brian Hiatt. Here are some highlights from their conversation:
Connecting Icons: Madonna and Charli XCX
Watt played a pivotal role in bringing Madonna and Charli XCX together for the “Danceteria” remix he worked on. “I actually put them on a text message together,” Watt shares, “to kinda meet and talk before they were ever gonna do a record together, because they just needed to be friends.” The genesis of the original “Danceteria” was inspired by Madonna’s personal experiences at the downtown New York club that played a crucial role in her rise to fame. “She would tell us, like, you know, you look around and there’s Nile Rodgers and there’s David Byrne,” Watt recalls. For the remix, he notes, “Charli recorded her part, but then they worked on the track and the production together… It’s a completely different record than the original.”
Emotional Collaborations with Lady Gaga
Watt expresses deep admiration for Lady Gaga, whom he affectionately describes as “my older sister.” Reflecting on their collaboration, he says, “Greatest feeling in the world is when you make a project with an artist, it ends, and everyone’s sad, and you’re gonna miss each other, and then they call you back, and they’re like, ‘Let’s make more stuff.’” Their shared New York roots foster a familial bond, and Watt often finds himself moved during their sessions. “When we sit, we break a song down… it’s like it’s one of the most beautiful experiences of my life,” he admits.
Innovating with Elton John
Currently, Watt is working on Elton John’s next album, navigating the unique challenges posed by John’s declining sight. “Famously, Elton writes songs by reading a lyric,” Watt explains, adding that the process has been “a whole different ballgame” for them. He emphasizes John’s remarkable spirit amid adversity, stating, “99.9999999 percent of people would’ve just folded, and he continues on.” By shifting their songwriting approach to focus on John’s unmatched ability to create melodies, they have developed new methods to bring his musical vision to life. Watt describes how they adapt the process, stating, “We could throw on some drums for him that made him feel a certain type of way, and he could just play to the drums and come up with melodies first.”
Michael Stipe’s Solo Journey
Watt also speaks about Michael Stipe’s dedication to achieving perfection in his upcoming solo album. “He’s extremely hard on himself,” says Watt. “I’ve seen him write lyrics, throw them out, write them again.” Stipe’s meticulous nature reflects his desire to convey exactly what he wants musically, and working with him has been a deeply rewarding experience for Watt, who describes him as “one of the all-time greats.”
Learning from Paul McCartney
Watt shares that working with Paul McCartney was like getting a masterclass in music. “His time alone is extremely important,” he notes, reflecting on McCartney’s creative process. “It was kind of like, let me show you how we can use the studio.” He lauds McCartney’s fearless approach to songwriting and his extraordinary imagination. “Watching him arrange background vocals… he’s incredible at coming up with the perfect part on every different instrument,” Watt observes, emphasizing McCartney’s versatility and mastery.
Conducting the Rolling Stones
In his work with the Rolling Stones, Watt took on a unique role as an on-the-spot arranger, calling out song sections as if he were a conductor. “I would always be in the live room while the band tracked… and be in that circle so I could watch how they’re interplaying with each other,” he explains. Watt describes the magic of capturing their dynamic energy as they create music together, revealing the symbiosis of the legendary band.
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath
Watt reflects on an unrealized project with Black Sabbath and clarifies a comment made by guitarist Tony Iommi, who suggested Watt was “too excited” about recording a final album with the band. “That’s not why it didn’t happen,” Watt states, recounting his conversations with Ozzy Osbourne and the rest of the band about possibly collaborating on new music. Unfortunately, the project fell through due to complications involving drummer Bill Ward. Watt finds humor in Iommi’s comments, stating it’s just part of the playful banter that comes with being a passionate musician.
Watt also hints at unreleased songs featuring Osbourne, acknowledging that there are “kind of” plans for them but keeping details vague. “They’re hard for me to listen to,” he admits, sharing the bittersweet sentiment of reflecting on their time together.
